Ha ha! OK. seriously though the crap that supermarkets shove in their rice is unbelievable. Pine nuts, saffron, cashews, pepper corns, raisins, cinnamon, fennel, shredded coconut, chopped coriander and all this crap that they never bother to take out that's not even supposed to be eaten like cloves, cardamon pods, bay leaves and cinnamon bark.

I just want plain rice, NO disgusting extras!

I've recently got in to cooking authentic Chinese dishes by basically teaching myself and going through flavour combinations. I spent years buying supermarket Chinese meals and those Sharwoods and Blue Dragon sauces but it never tasted anything like a real Chinese and I think it's because it's all got that processed taste about it.

It's the same with chilli. Every single supermarket chilli con carne has the same fake processed taste about it even the ones that don't come in a tin or a jar still taste like they do and I've come to the conclusion it's because it's not fresh and full of preservatives. The best tasting ready meals out of all the main supermarkets has to go to Sainsburys for their closeness of flavour to home made food but even they can't do an authentic tasting ready meal like the restaurants or like you can at home. Whenever I make one at home from fresh is tastes nothing like the shop bought ones and more like the real thing so now I avoid buying Indian and Chinese ready meals whenever possible and I make my own or go to a proper takeaway.

I have to admit my weakness at the minute is Yo Sushi. I could spend a fortune in there. I know it's fast food and quite pricey but it's really tasty but you need to spend about £50 before you start feeling full so I only go when I'm feeling flush.

There are 2 simple, seldom-mentioned ingredients that you can add to your home-cooked Chinese dishes that will make a big difference to the taste. XO sauce and Shaohsing Rice Wine (not to rice and noodle dishes though). Both are available at Tesco.

This is how it take my tea actually

I know what you mean though

I love Chinese food.... I normally have a chicken curry , which to my OH is weird
I do love Chinese chips though, there's something about Chinese chips they get just right

I used to love their Tandoori Chicken Masala, and Chicken Dopaiza. However, they seem to have changed their recipes recently and the last I had of both were awful.